1 Sold the Land to the Ghost

"The price you offer is too high, Your Highness. None of them want to buy our land, in such price" said the prime minister of Martea Kingdom.

"I suggest you to cut the price half. We need the money as soon as possible. We lack of money to handle the pandemic!"

"Shut up!" The king scream. Everyone in the meeting hall surprised. It is first time they saw their King scream to other.

The king of Martea is a mature person. He is humble, open minded and wise. He always mind his word before speak. He is kind of good King because his life was not easy when he was young.

His successor, King Arabeam Hutson send him to US since he was five years old to study. His Mother, Queen Batsyeba Lyliana Hutson only visited him once a year in Christmas. He have to manage his life alone with his only nanny, Mrs Raucesell. Unfortunately, Mrs Raucesell is a discipline women. She manage the future king to become independent person.

After ten years reigning, the king faces pandemic in his kingdom. The pandemic spread all over the kingdom within six months. As the small country, he run out of money and medical support.

Even World Health Organization already send volunteer and support his kingdom with money, yet the pandemic getting wider every day. The kingdom need more than money. They need support. If the pandemic only happened in his kingdom, maybe it would be easy for him to get help. The problem is, all his nation in the world face the same pandemic.

"We are not selling the land in very minus prices. We just asked them to invest and having 30 years right to stay. The can't have our land!"

"But, His Higness" the prime minister arguing. "The investors doesn't want it. They want to own the land with the half price. This is the best deal we could have. Other country bargain lower. They want a quarter price.

We must agree it. Our people need us. We need medical support, doctor, nurses and food! We have to safe them. We can't keep our mind straight! We have to accept the deal!"

"Prime minister is correct, I think we must agree with them." Said the minister of finance.

"We have nothing left. People lost their jobs! They can't pay the taxes. All of them are starving! The number of doctor are decreasing. We need help!"

The king just silent. Thinking deep in his mind. The main hall suddenly feel tense. It's more than before.

"Your silent is agreement!" said the prime minister broke the silent.

The King sigh and stand up without a word. He just left the room silently. His head full of anger now. He come into his office and sit on his chair. Touching his hot forehead.

None of them dare to interrupt him.

"Sonya, call this number please" said the king to his secretary.

She hold the card carefully and going out. She dialed the number and back in a few minutes.

"Your Highness, he didn't talk to the other but His Highness only"

The king arises and gets ready to talk. Sonya back to her table. She knew, all King conversation is recorded automatically.

Prime Minister doesn't feel happy at the moment. He rushes into the office to stop the king.

"You can't trust him, Eugene!" said the minister in high tone.

The king raise his finger to stop him. In a minute, the one he call answer the phone.

"Prepare the document and I transfer the money immediately"

"Wait, we need to meet Mr…."

"Your highness, It's not the time. Please end the pandemic first than we meet later. I've transferred the money to you official account. What do you afraid of?"

The king silent in a moment. Sonya come in and bring the good news. They got the money.

Mr. Unkown smile secretly.

"Your highness, please prepare the document"

The call ends.

Prime minister not able to manage his angry anymore. He take nearby vase and broke into the ground. He can't believe that his king already made a decision without him.

~This, boy dare to challage me~

"You are crazy! You have a deal with the unknown person. You even never met him. He refuse to meet us but you trust him? What is in your mind, Eugene? You know what? You have sold your country to the Ghost! Hail the king. This kingdom will end in your hand!"

The king just silent. He answers nothing. Deep down in his heart he knew, some of his prime minister words are right. But, he had no choice. He can lose his title as king but not his people.

He just made the hardest decision in his life.